It's always been emotionally hard for me to read NANA. I've shared a personal connection from the beginning because, like Hachi, I've lived through my life constantly falling in love. But it goes farther than that. Because I also have my Nana, my best friend, my friendship soulmate... and she is truly a lot like Nana... for better or worse.

My Nana, Christen... she knows about NANA. She calls me Hachi. Her connection with the Nana character is deep, despite not being the same kind of obsessive fan with the series as a whole. She... doesn't like how sad it is. So she's only seen the first 15 episodes or so of the anime, not read any of the manga. (She's also not the biggest anime person, though she has liked some before.) And she loves Nana and Ren.

Maybe it seems silly for me to worry about something like this. But I am worried. Should I tell her or let her find out on her own? I... just don't know. She will be... upset. I know this. So I waited after hearing rumors of the chapters I had not read. It didn't seem for sure. Because it couldn't be.

Only, of course, it could... it's NANA. The best example of Lovely Despair that I know.

And I love older Hachi. Maybe because I feel like I can relate to her even more now... now that she sems more reserved (and... depressed). Not that I'm not silly and even a bit materialistic at times. But the younger Hachi's biggest difference to me is that she was usually fairly cheerful. *Sighs* Isn't it sad, though? Poor depressed, older Hachi. You'd be better off a little less like me.

As random as it sounds, I'm very glad that Hachi and Miu became friends. I love Miu, and I've worried for her. Although now we've seen that she at least makes it into the future. Plus their friendship lead to pretty, symbolic things like Hachi and the fishtank. I love Ai Yazawa's use of words with objects... and also words from a character talking about something else while you're seeing different things that could also relate to the words. (Example! <3)

Does anyone else think that Kurada has fallen love with (or at least has some sort of feelings for) Hachi? First (although it's actually later in the timeline), he lied about Nana still being alive. And I always sort of wondered if that was why. Then, he sent the proof of Nana being alive to Hachi. Then, thispart, I think is very telling.

Honestly, I could ship this series all over the place... but Hachi just has to be with Nobu (the Morgan of NANA).

I am avoiding Ren's death, aren't I? ~_~ It's so hard to deal with, but I can't say I didn't see something tragic like this coming. Especially with the way Nana and Ren were connected with Sid and Nancy.

One thing I do want to point out is that... I don't hate Reira, and I don't understand why people blame her for everything. Yes, Ren was going to see her... but did she not leave partly so that Ren could rest in the first place? It's not as if she demanded that he come for her. Reira is flawed, yes... but so is everyone else.

So, that's all I can deal with right now. *Sighs* I'm still stuck with my sad question... But I suppose on the good side I now have 5 NANA fanfiction ideas (that I'll probabaly never write...) and also 6 fanvideo ideas (which I will probably never make, because I don't even know how, but I can see them in my mind perfectly).

Tags:

Comments

I'm not sure if Kurada has feelings for Hachi (though it certainly would be an interesting development), but it seems like through all of these events and Ren's death he's become a bit more human. When being yelled at for not getting any photos of a man's car crash, one that he died in, he's probably realizing, "Jeez, this industry is screwed up", thus his lean away from it in the future. Unlike the other paparazzi, there isn't just some big black hole where his heart should be, if that makes sense. So even if he can't make up for it, really, he still tries to at least better the situation for the girl he made it hell for earlier; I think that's why he sent those pictures of Nana to Hachi instead of his work. If that makes sense.

I love Yazawa's narrative, too.♥ Regardless of where the story goes, she always makes sure to throw in some symbolism. I wonder if that's where some people get thrown off when they read -- most shoujo is very point-blank, straightforward, "Oh no! I just did X thing! Will he ever like me again?", or for characters their roles are very shallow and stated from the beginning. Like in the NANA fanbook, Hachi is "The earnest girl struck in love", Nana "the singer with ambition". That speaks of the basics, but Yazawa's characters and plots are a lot... I don't know, deeper?

On that same note, it frustrates me when I can't find a lot of icons post-Hachi getting pregnant, and I think for many who get into it that's where the story ends. Isn't that sad? For me, that was practically the beginning. But like I said, they for some reason didn't get the 'complex' part of the story, despite it being.. pretty clearly spelled out in the beginning, IMO. Schoolgirl affairs with married men? Sex in the first two chapters? Yeah, that's your typical shoujo right there. *eye roll*

And I know I've ranted on and on about how people shouldn't hate Reira, but it probably goes back to that other point. XD; She's not just a spoiled, pretty singer that wants everything, or wants to destroy everything good about X pairing; the fact that she seems perfect but is really so flawed is kind of the point of her character. But again, point = right over the heads of our viewers.

Yes, that's true. Kurada's certainly got a heart. Especially compared to the others. (I guess I just insert romance into everything. ~_~; Although... with NANA that wouldn't be too far off, since everyone is in love with everyone.) I think he was already feeling bad before the car crash, but certainly after that, he was disgusted with what was going on. And probably feeling guilty too.

Yes, it's wonderful, isn't it? If only more people saw it the way we do... you're right it's much deeper, much more complicated. I feel like anyone who blames all the problems on one character is only seeing the surface. Or perhaps, just pushing the blame away from the characters they relate to the most? I mean, I love Hachi... but she's made some mistakes too. ~_~; I think she's one of the most pure of heart in the series, but she's still been selfish, she's still made mistakes. Nothing in NANA is just what you see on the surface.

Now, that you mention that... that a fair point. Even I haven't made a lot of them. (Oops!) But that's partly because I haven't worked on icons in awhile... since back when I was waaay behind. I'll make some, 'kay? ^_^ Anyways, to your point behind this, I can see what you mean. That does sound like the end of a story to most people. I've heard complaints about where the anime ended (for now, at least) because they didn't tie things up. Well, obviously not... it's not the end of the story. But I suppose it's where the end of the story looks like it should be to some people. It actually happy about where it ends (for now, they should definitely continue, of course!), just because it doesn't try to end with what could be seen as a happy ending.

For me, when writing... I have a huge universe that never ends... I've gone through generations. Getting married and/or getting pregnant is not the end of the story. In fact it *is* just the beginning, for a new character. I think, no, actually... I know my writing has been profoundly inspired by NANA. The complicated relationships, long histories. And NANA is so long (especially for a shoujo series, right?), but I still find it just as interesting and compelling as in the beginning... if not much more so.

Okay trying so hard not to read this entry! NANA! I haven't read it in FOREVER. The last thing I remember is a shot where Nana is in england maybe? And she's singing at a bar. AND THAT IS ALL. I need to know what happens! Where can I find it again?

Okay, so, I'm a total stranger to you.But, finally, FINALLY, someone who reads Nana up to the most recent chapters. It's awful to read the chapters and have no one to talk to about it.So, hi, my name is Zoe and I've been a huge Nana fan/addict for five years.

Would you mind if I add you as a friend?

(then again, this is not my "I talk about Nana post". It's getting late and I could talk about it for hours. However, I need sleep)

Hello, total stranger! I mean, Zoe. ^_^ I'm Valerie. And it's nice to meet another obsessive NANA fan. Now that Harry potter is over NANA is my number one fandom. <3 Ah, anyways, I've only known about NANA since around when the anime was coming out (2006), and I followed them together. But I still read the manga before I watched the corresponding episodes.

I would love to have ou as a friend. ^_^ Add away. I don't post a whole lots, but there's a strong chance that if I do it will be NANA related.

Also you might want to consider joining, blackstones? It's a community about NANA. There are lots of other obsessive NANA fans there. Many who also keep up with recent chapters. ^_^

alright this is weird but i want to know is nana ever found? Who is the little kid that his name is ren and he playes the guitar so reira can sing again?Did reira stay scrazy because of the death of ren?Does takumi have another child with nana(hachiko)?Does nobou and hachi ever get back together?What about takumi wh he staid with?And what about Yasu and shin what happen to them?